Clover's obstetric crutch, metal and leather, British, 1855-1865.

Joseph Thomas Clover (1825-1882) was a surgeon and pioneering anaesthetist. He developed this obstetric crutch to keep the patient in the ‘lithotomy position’. This involved the patient lying on his or her back with the knees bent by attaching one padded leather strap to each thigh. It was most commonly used during childbirth or surgical procedures such as lithotomy. Lithotomy is the removal of the gallstone or kidney and bladder stone. Clover’s crutch was reputedly used between 1860 and 1869 at Liverpool Maternity Hospital.